Bose QC 35 II
Over-ear · 2017
Sennheiser HD 6XX
Open-back
Sennheiser HD 6XX takes it — here’s why.
In our weighted Specdex score, Bose QC 35 II lands at 84 and Sennheiser HD 6XX at 90. That puts Sennheiser HD 6XX ahead by 6 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.
Pick Bose QC 35 II if…
- ✓Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- ✓Premium build
- ✓Active noise cancellation (most models)
Pick Sennheiser HD 6XX if…
- ✓Reference-level detail
- ✓Well-regarded in audiophile community
- ✓Long-term ownership appeal
Winner by scenario
Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate testSound quality
Sennheiser HD 6XXTuning, detail, and staging
Sennheiser HD 6XX leads on sound (90 vs 84).
Noise cancelling
Bose QC 35 IIANC strength for commute and travel
Bose QC 35 II leads on anc (82 vs 0).
Comfort
Sennheiser HD 6XXLong-session wearability
Sennheiser HD 6XX leads on comfort (88 vs 83).
Value for money
Sennheiser HD 6XXSpecdex score per dollar at MSRP
Sennheiser HD 6XX more score per dollar ($219 vs $349).
Score breakdown
Specs side-by-side
| Spec | Bose QC 35 II | Sennheiser HD 6XX |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Over-ear | Open-back |
| Release year | 2017 | — |
Bose QC 35 II
- +Flagship comfort + ANC on modern models
- +Premium build
- +Active noise cancellation (most models)
- −Battery varies by codec
- −Some are Bluetooth-only
- −Price creep vs previous gen
Sennheiser HD 6XX
- +Reference-level detail
- +Well-regarded in audiophile community
- +Long-term ownership appeal
- −Requires amplifier (most)
- −No active noise cancellation
- −Impractical for commuting
FAQ: Bose QC 35 II vs Sennheiser HD 6XX
Which is better, Bose QC 35 II or Sennheiser HD 6XX? +
Sennheiser HD 6XX scores 90 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 6. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.
Is Bose QC 35 II worth the price? +
At $349, Bose QC 35 II delivers a Specdex score of 84 — strongest in sound.
Is Sennheiser HD 6XX worth the price? +
At $219, Sennheiser HD 6XX delivers a Specdex score of 90 — strongest in battery.
Does Bose QC 35 II or Sennheiser HD 6XX last longer? +
Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.
Which is better for sound quality, Bose QC 35 II or Sennheiser HD 6XX? +
Sennheiser HD 6XX — leads on sound (90 vs 84). Tuning, detail, and staging.
Which is better for noise cancelling, Bose QC 35 II or Sennheiser HD 6XX? +
Bose QC 35 II — leads on anc (82 vs 0). ANC strength for commute and travel.